HOW TO BOOST YOUR SKIN HEALTH IN 5 WAYS

Simple steps for positively glowing results

Women's Health Magazine Australia

When you take good care of your skin, it will happily reward you with a healthy, youthful glow. But looking after it requires a little (ok, a lot) of TLC. While a great skin care routine can pamper from the outside, a lot of the hard work should be done from the inside. Follow these simple steps to boost your skin’s health.

Stay hydrated

Hydration is so important for your skin’s health, and it’s essential both inside and out. When you’re dehydrated, your skin looks dull, dry and lacklustre. Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day will ensure your skin cells remain hydrated and are functioning properly. Let your moisturiser take care of the exterior. No thanks to a handful of environmental factors, like the sun, pollution and air-conditioning, your skin has a tough time keeping water in. A moisturiser will help replenish lost moisture and lock it in at the same time. Look for a formula that contains hyaluronic acid - this water-holding molecule can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Top tip: The best time to apply your moisturiser is when the skin is damp (just after a shower or post-cleansing) as it ‘seals’ in the water for added hydration.

Eat a nutrient-rich diet

What you put in to your body directly affects how it looks on the outside. But luckily, there are a lot of foods that are both delicious and beneficial to your skin that you can easily incorporate into your daily diet. Foods that are high in antioxidants, like berries, mushrooms and walnuts, are essential for protecting skin against damaging free radicals that speed up the ageing process. Vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables are another must: vitamin C helps boost collagen production and strengthen skin - find it in abundance in citrus fruits, berries and broccoli; vitamin A works to prevent fine lines and wrinkles by encouraging healthy skin cell production - spinach and sweet potato are excellent sources; and vitamin E is a top skin moisturiser that keeps your skin’s protective barrier intact, so load up on leafy greens.

Top up with supplements

We all have the best intentions to eat well, but sometimes our busy lifestyle gets in the way. Supplements can help top-up your daily intake of essential nutrients. For optimal skin health, collagen is imperative. It’s what gives you plump, youthful skin. And more often than not, your body could do with more (as you get older, you naturally produce less and less of it, which is why skin sagging and wrinkles occur). Collagenix Beauty Button contains 1250mg of VERISOL® collagen peptides, which is a beauty-specific collagen proven to reduce wrinkles, increase skin elasticity and also strengthen hair and nails. Together with 40mg of organic vitamin C per tablet and added organic zinc, these chewable tablets improve skin radiance, firmness and hydration. Just chew two of these blueberry-flavoured chewable tablets daily. Too easy.

Exercise regularly

Getting your blood pumping does more than just release mood-enhancing endorphins; it also sends oxygen and nutrients around your body to feed your skin cells, while simultaneously flushing out toxins like free radicals to rejuvenate and cleanse skin from the inside.

Avoid stress

Ok, we get it: avoiding stress is easier said than done! But your skin is going to thank you for it. When you’re stressed, your body increases its production of a hormone known as cortisol, which breaks down collagen in skin and can cause skin to produce more oil. Pimples and wrinkles? No, thank you. One of the best ways to manage stress? Exercise!

11 CELEBRITY SELFIES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO GO MAKEUP-FREE

#wokeuplikethis

Women's Health Magazine Australia

While it seems like every day that yet another celebrity launches a beauty brand (Rihanna's Fenty, Drew Barrymore's Flower Beauty, Kim Kardashian's KKW Beauty, just to name a few), on the other end more and more celebrities are opting for the #nofilter look with nary a swipe of makeup in sight.

With the abundance of YouTube makeup tutorials and filter apps including Facetune, it can be refreshing to see celebrities ditch the makeup and embrace their natural beauty. And it's even better when they share it with a selfie.

From Kylie Jenner and Demi Lovato to Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Biel, take a look at our top picks for the best no-makeup celebrity selfies.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel posted a bare-faced selfie the morning after the 2018 Emmy Awards. If only we looked like this when we were hungover, too.

Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz

The pair, who have been BFFs sinceCharlie's Angels, snapped a selfie together sans makeup. Barrymore posted the photo to Instagram with multiple hashtags including #nofilter and #SUNSCREENALWAYS.

Leighton Meester

Former Gossip Girlstar Leighton Meester does away with makeup with a stunning bare-faced pic on her Instagram.

Kylie Jenner

Though she's proven herself a beauty mogul, Kylie Jenner ditched the lip kit and opted for no-makeup while celebrating boyfriend Travis Scott's 26th birthday in Turks and Caicos. Except for a hint of mascara, Kylie leaves her skin bare and proudly shows off her adorable freckles.

Demi Lovato

A vocal advocate of the body positive movement, Demi Lovato shared this fresh-faced pic to her Instagram. Apart from her glowing skin, the gorgeous selfie shows off her freckles.

Gwyneth Paltrow

The founder of lifestyle brand Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow shows off her glowing face with a birthday selfie. "#nomakeup for my 44th birthday, embracing my past and future," she captioned the Instagram photo.

Chrissy Teigen

Just when we thought couldn't love Chrissy Teigen any more what with her #goals marriage with John Legend and hilarious Twitter snapbacks, she posts a radiant makeup-free selfie.

5 WAYS TO MAKE SURE YOUR FITNESS GOALS STICK

As told by activewear legend Lorna Jane.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/21/2019 4:19 PM1/21/2019 4:20 PM

Raise your hand if you’ve ever signed up for a super ambitious New Year’s Resolution (take up surfing! Start a side-hustle! Journal every day!) only to give up on it quicker than Usain Bolt runs a 100m final. Dw girl, we got you. It’s totally common to feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. In fact, around 80 per cent of us will lose track of our goals by the first of February each year, especially if they’re fitness related (motivation = zero).

1. Make sure your goals have meaning.

It’s easy to set goals but it’s harder to make sure that they’re actually meaningful. If you’ve set yourself the goal to run your first half marathon or lift a certain amount, or whatever it is – ask yourself why that’s important to you. Is it so you can run with your partner, raise money for charity, to feel strong internally and externally, tick off a bucket list item… whatever your motivation behind the goal, it’s that ‘why’ that will keep you motivated and on track when the struggle is real. Spend the time to make sure that you’re setting the right goals that will make a positive difference to your life and it’ll be much easier to stick to them.

2. Break it into smaller milestones.

It’s important that your goals challenge and push you out of your comfort zone but when the going gets tough, this can get daunting. Breaking your goal into bite-sized pieces keeps you on track and gives you opportunities to celebrate your progress along the way!

3. Have a plan.

Work from your end goal back to where you are now and set your plan on what you need to do to get there. Having a plan means that you know what you need to do and you can schedule your workouts/training in. Make a commitment to yourself to stick to them like you would any other appointment. This is time that you’re investing into yourself and that’s way too important to cancel!

4. Be kind to yourself.

We all have days when we’re a little lower on motivation, a bit tired or not performing at the level we think we should be – and that’s okay. Don’t get too caught up about it and let it steer you off course. Listen to your body (it might be telling you that you need a rest) and get back on track tomorrow. Remember to rest rather than quit.

5. Have fun!

This is THE most important one. I know that not everyone enjoys working out as much as I do, but I really believe that you can - if you choose the right mindset and activity. Pick something you like to do and makes you feel good – there are so many to choose from! And, if you like company (and someone to help motivate you), get a friend involved too! Working on your health and fitness and towards a goal is exciting and when you’re enjoying doing it, staying motivated and on track is a breeze!

Which is why it makes sense that it’s just been confirmed as a sure-fire way to curb cravings.

In a study published in the Journal of Marketing Research, scientists from the University of Florida conducted a series of tests that exposed participants of all ages to the scent of healthy foods (like strawberries and apples) and unhealthy foods (cookies and pizza) over varying periods of time.

The subjects who were students had the odours piped in through a cafeteria, while the others were in a supermarket at the time of the experiment. Regardless of location, the researchers found that when the participants smelled a cookie for 30 seconds or less they couldn’t help but eat one.

However, when the exposure lasted longer than two minutes the participants opted for a strawberry instead. The effect was the same when the subjects smelled pizza; the longer the waft the more they desired an apple. These findings were backed up when the same tests were conducted in a lab too.

“Ambient scent can be a powerful tool to resist cravings for indulgent foods,” the study’s lead author Dipayan Biswas said in a statement. “In fact, subtle sensory stimuli like scents can be more effective in influencing children's and adult’s food choices than restrictive food policies” such as diets or mandated school lunches.

“In essence, if reward structures and areas representing craving in the brain can be satisfied with olfactory inputs instead of actual gustatory consumption of unhealthy foods, this can help with fighting food urges.”

Bottom line? Next time you find yourself hankering for a Big Mac, try standing outside a Maccas and inhaling for five minutes before ordering.

THE SURPRISING METHOD SERENA WILLIAMS IS USING TO PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS

What a woman.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/21/2019 1:02 PM1/21/2019 1:04 PM

Unless you’ve miraculously managed to avoid the telly (or social media, for that matter) for the last 7 days straight, you would have seen Serena Williams slaying at the Australian Open in a skin-tight green Nike bodysuit and fishnet stockings.

If not, here’s a refresher:

It’s not your typical tennis get up but, honestly, the woman can do no wrong. Remember when she took to the court in a tutu? And let’s not forget that ‘Black Panther’ catsuit at the 2018 French Open.

Fashion statement aside though, there’s actually a very good reason behind her outfit choices as of late. During a press conference on Tuesday, the 37-year-old opened up about her ongoing struggle with deep vein thrombosis – the life-threatening blood clots that she’s been experiencing since giving birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia a little over a year ago. The condition can be caused by anything that keeps your blood from circulating as it normally would (i.e. an injury to a vein, surgery or certain medications.) Hence, the fishnet stockings which are actually compression tights.

“[I’m] definitely still concerned,” she said. “I’ve had some issues and they’re not done. So, it’s just something I just have to do for pretty much the rest of my career, we’ll see. But I’m always at the doctor.”

“With DVT, it’s very scary. A lot of people have them. Especially for me, it’s incredibly frightening. I lay on the side of precaution as opposed to not.”

Despite the legitimate health benefits, viewers are *very* into her latest look.

PEOPLE ARE HATING ON JESSICA SIMPSON'S NAME FOR HER BABY GIRL

Really, guys?!

Women's Health Magazine Australia

Jessica Simpson is preparing to welcome her third child - a baby girl - in a matter of weeks, and the name she has picked out has angered some fans.

While celebrating with a baby shower over the weekend, photos from the party gave away a big clue as to what Simpson plans to name the newborn.

In a snapshot posted to the actress' Instagram, a sign that reads, "Birdie's Nest" in neon lights hung above Jessica and her 6-year-old daughter, Maxwell, who were both dressed in flowing floral dresses.

She also captioned the photo, 'Birdie's Nest', with two green heart emojis.

"Do we think the babies [sic] name will be Birdie?!" one fan wrote.

Many critics advised Jessica to think twice before handing down the name Birdie to her new baby girl. "Please don’t name the girl Birdie,” one commenter pleaded, while another questioned whether or not the moniker would have "a negative effect on a kid long-term."

However, others jumped to Jessica's defence. "She can name HER child anything SHE wants," one message read.

Simpson is yet to comment on the baby name controversy, but she's not the first celebrity to choose the name. Actress Busy Philipps chose the same name for her first child, Birdie Leigh, in 2008.

HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO GET OVER AN EX?

Is the theory that it takes half as long as your relationship legit?

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/21/2019 9:46 AM1/21/2019 9:48 AM

Lots of people have strong ~opinions~ on how long it should take to get over an ex.Sex and the City's Charlotte York says it takes half as long as a relationship lasted to truly move on after a breakup. When Jordin Sparks and her ex-boyfriend Jason Derulo split, she gave herself a timeline of exactly three weeks to get over it, according toPeople. (And she says that worked for her!)

Of course, the reality is that there is no one timeline for how long it takes to stop being hung up on someone. One reason it's so tough? That relationship you just lost was probably a key part of your identity, saysGary Lewandowski, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Monmouth University who delivered the TED Talk, "Breakups Don’t Have to Leave You Broken." So it's not like you're going to go back to feeling totallyyousans that relationship overnight.

If you're interested in moving on ASAP (yes, please), there are sometips that can help you get over an ex. And in the meantime, take solace in the fact that everyone is different—as shown by these women and their breakup stories.

It's normal to take several months to get over a serious relationship.

"Six months after the breakup, I remember waking up and just feeling like I was finally over my relationship of over two years.It probably helped that I recently got a message from another guy I was crushing on before I started dating my ex asking if I wanted to meet him for coffee. The timing was perfect, and I started dating that guy soon after."—Sandra R.

"It took me about a year to get over my ex.Granted, we spent a lot of that time in the grey area of 'will we or won't we get back together?' I met a new guy, which definitely helped, but I was still waffling between him and my ex for a while. Then, one day, I woke up and just decided I was done with all of the games my ex was playing and wanted to give the new guy a chance. I don't know what really did it, but making that decision for myself and consciously choosing to stop wondering 'what if' helped a lot." —Robin H.

"After going through several years of ups and downs with a guy I met in high school, we ended things in our mid-20s. At first, I was devastated because we had so many memories from different phases of our lives, and it took me almost a year to shake the sad feelings. What helped me the most was remembering that even though I was sad, I still had the same great family, friends, and job I had before the relationship and the breakup. It was also pretty satisfying to remove the guy as a friend on Facebook." —Rose W.

"I've heard that you should be on good terms with your ex, but when my college boyfriend and I decided to end things, being friends made it hard to get over him—it took me a year and a half. We'd meet up for drinks or lunch every few weeks, and he came to my birthday just a month after we split. It made it hard for me to remember why we broke it off. I think I was finally able to get over it when we started seeing other people and drifted apart."—Lauren V.

"After I ended my relationship of three and a half years, I thought that my ex would realise he took me for granted and come back. But when he didn't, I went out dancing, drank too much, and dated a lot. Though, I still kept my ex at arm's length, which made it hard to completely get over him.About 15 months later, I cut the cordby stopping the texts and no reaching out, and I could finally move on." —Trina W.

"I've only experienced one major breakup, but it wasthe worstand tookyearsto get over.I leaned on my friends to start filling the holes that my S.O. had occupied for so long; but ultimately, I had to start focusing on myself as an individual, which was weird for me. Something else that was incredibly helpful was reflecting on the relationship and realising that it wasn't as good as I always thought it was. There were so many things that I had convinced myself were perfect, but that time, space, and reflection showed me how negative and destructive the relationship was. It took me four years to find myself in another relationship, but all that time had given me the opportunity to get to know myself and start valuing my life without thinking about how it relates to another person."—Britt K.

“My ex dumped me out of nowhere with no explanation. We became friends with benefits for two years because I was trying to remain close to him, and then we stopped talking altogether for two years.I finally got over him when he asked to meet up to apologise to me for being a douche after four whole years.”—Zeynep, Y.

On the other end of the spectrum, feeling over it in a shorter amount of time can be normal, too.

"It only took me about a week to get over my last ex.We got to the point where we had nothing in common anymore—and we barely saw each other. For the last three months of the relationship, I knew it was fizzling out and that I should end it, so I didn't feel that bad when I broke things off. Plus, I jumped into a relationship with my current boyfriend (whom I've now been with for over six years) about two weeks after my breakup. So that definitely sped-up the process of getting over my ex." —Christina H.

"There was a lot of physical chemistry between me and this guy I was seeing for a couple of months, but he was about to be divorced and wasn't looking for anything serious. During our relationship, I was constantly worried about what he was really doing when we weren't together.After two months, I decided to stop stressing about him and focus on myself.I started hitting the gym more frequently and I dated a lot. I ended up meeting my current boyfriend about a week after the last time I saw my ex and never thought about him again."—Kristina M.

COUPLES WHO REGULARLY ROAST EACH OTHER ARE MORE LIKELY TO LAST

Permission to pay out your partner, granted.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/18/2019 3:40 PM1/18/2019 3:40 PM

There are few celeb couples who roast each other so consistently and expertly as Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Sure, they’ve co-created two super cute kids (James and Inez), and starred in a box office hit together (DC Comics’ Green Lantern). But ultimately, their bond is built upon an affinity for public banter. Which, FYI, researchers from Appalachian State University say is one of the strongest indicators of a healthy relationship – as long as you know where to draw the line.

Think: giving your partner sh*t for snoring so much they sound like Darth Vader or nicking the doona all the darn time. Making snarky remarks on every undesirable habit they have? Yeah, that’s venturing into nag territory.

The idea is to celebrate your differences not rub it in their face.

“When you roast each other’s quirks, you are effectively pointing out the little, sometimes ignored sides to your personalities,” House explains. “Those quirks tend to be the things that you love most about your partner.”

It’s a bit like an inside joke: when you tease them about saying the word ‘celery’ weird, you’re actually showing that you value them, warts and all.

So, consider this permission to rib your partner tonight. At the very least for the laughs.

“Does anyone else look back and feel like periods of time in your life were another life entirely?”

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/18/2019 11:18 AM1/18/2019 11:20 AM

Social media has been flooded with photos of people doing the "10-year challenge," but fitness influencer Anna Victoria might have the best I've seen.

In case you’re not familiar with the challenge, it’s pretty simple: You just share a photo of yourself from 10 years ago and one from now. The personal trainer andFit Bodyapp creator shared pics of herself from 2007 and 2018—and her body looks completely different.

In the 2007 photo, Anna is holding a friend’s legs up to do a keg stand. She looks fantastic in a bikini, but her body is noticeably different than her current photo, where she looks more toned.

Anna says that the 2007 version of herself partied, "ate only fast food, wouldn’t step foot in a gym, drank almost no water, and had trouble sleeping." Plus she had "digestive and GI issues from poor eating habits."

She attributes the changes in her body to a healthier lifestyle. Now, Anna "enjoys a glass of wine or two here and there, eats 80/20, works out for [her] mental, emotional and physical health, drinks 3-4 litres of water a day, and prioritises sleep." She also doesn't struggle with digestive or GI issues anymore, except for when she eats a bigger, less healthy meal than she's used to.

Anna says that she didn’t have a lot of weight to lose, and that her journey was focused on good health. "I am also proud of the physical change," she says. "And there’s only a 2kg difference between these two photos!"

It should come as no shock that Anna, who always keeps it real, stresses that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the way she used to look—she just wasn’t as healthy as she could have been.

"I still loved myself in the 2007 photo," she said. "No matter how much I did or didn’t weigh, I never let it phase me and question my worth. YOU deserve to love yourself now, no matter where you are in your journey, even if you haven’t even started."

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN'S WORKOUTS SOUND REALLY FREAKING HARD

Damn, woman.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

Kourtney Kardashian is proud AF of her hard-earned body—at least, according to her Instagram.

The eldest Kardashian sister has a social media feed full of swimsuit pics (yes, even in the snow), gorgeous magazine spreads, and sweaty post-workout selfies. She's always posting photos of her visible abs, toned thighs and shoulders, and of course, that famous Kardashian backside.

But what exactly does the 39-year-old do to keep her fitness so on point—and her sculpted abs so defined? Read on to learn about Kourtney Kardashian's workout.

1. A trainer kicks her butt.

On her app, Kourtney used to share a lot of info on what she did during her workouts—many led by trainer, Don Brooks (@donamatrixtraining), using his method coined "The Don-A-Matrix Method." This workout technique is "set up to resemble a sports game format consisting of four quarters," Brooks toldE! News. "Each quarter has three sets of two different exercises, combined with rest or relief periods after each quarter. We use the resist-a-bands a lot—the bands are very effective for toning without bulking or injury."

E! Onlinealso cites Amanda Lee as one of Kourtney’s trainers. Lee reveals that she does a lot of HIIT workouts with the Kardashian sisters, as well as exercises like lunges and squats to fatigue (gotta work that booty!).

2. She counts on workout buddies.

And usually, it’s sisters Khloe or Kim (more often the former). You’ll often see one of the Kardashian sibs showing off their gym picks—including badass photos of their workouts, or what they look like after the sweat (which is always fabulous, of course).

Kourtney credits her sisters for motivating her to get to the gym and stick to a regular workout schedule. "I know for my body, I need four to five days a week of working out," she toldE! News."Khloe and I really push each other to do that."

Khloe has also shared how she can’t get over her Kourtney’s abs. "Can you believe my sisters abs?!?!??," she captioned onephoto. "I see you boo!!!! I miss my workout buddy!!! You're my motivation!"

3. She moves it outside.

Just recently, Kourtney posted a photo of herself (along with Kylie and Kendall), geared up in their winter attire and ready to hit the slopes. According to anotherIG post, she was in Aspen, Colorado with the entire fam, kicking off her 2019 workout regime on skis.

When the weather is warm, Kourtney has also been known tohikearound SoCal and play a littlepool volleyballandtennis. Because fitness doesn’t always need to be killer—it can be fun too!

4. She sneaks in cardio.

According to a video she posted on herYouTube channel, Kourtney is all about burpees and mountain climbers (dang, kudos). And to warm up, she loves toskip.

5. She throws punches.

Another IG pic reveals that Kourt isn’t afraid to fight. Like many celebs, Kourtney has embraced boxing as a badass total-body workout. She looks sweaty and super happy, sporting a pair of boxing gloves and standing near some bags.

6. She stays active on vacation.

If you know the Kardashians, you know they like to travel—usually as a family, but also solo. Either way, Kourtney stay active. Just check out these bike riding and paddleboarding pics.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE OMAD DIET FOR WEIGHT LOSS

There's more to it than eating just one meal a day.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

What's your favourite meal of the day? Maybe it's breakfast when you can have a hearty plate ofeggsand bacon, or dinner when you canfinallyhave thatsalmonyou've been thinking about all day.

Now, imagine that's theonlymeal you can eat each day. That's the premise behind the OMAD diet, which stands for "one meal a day," which is essentially a form of fasting.

While fastingcanbe good for you (just askVanessa HudgensorJenna Jameson), some experts believe certain methods like the OMAD diet aren't a healthy, sustainable solution for weight loss. Here's what you need to know.

What exactly is the OMAD diet?

"Think of OMAD asintermittent fastingon steroids," says Dena Champion, R.D., of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "OMAD is literally when someone eats one meal daily during one hour of the day and then fasts the other 23 hours." You are allowed to drink black coffee or other non-calorie drinks during that fasting time—but nothing else.

On top of that, you're instructed to eat that one meal during the same four-hour window every day, says Jen Oikarinen, a clinical dietitian with Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. "Consistency is emphasized in the OMAD diet," she says. And while it is recommended that you make healthy food choices, it's more aboutwhenyou eat than what you eat, says Champion.

OMAD dieters are supposed to adhere to a set of rules known as the "4 ones," says Oikarinen. So if you're on the OMAD diet:

You should only be eating one meal per day

You can only eat within one hour of your four-hour eating window

You must eat off an 11-inch diameter plate

Your meal shouldn't be more than three inches high on your plate (so...a mountain of french fries is definitely off limits)

Worth noting: While the OMAD diet istechnicallya fasting diet, it's quite different from other intermittent fasting diets likethe 16:8 diet, which instructs you to fast for 16 hours and eat three (or four!) meals during the remaining eight hours.

So, can the OMAD diet help me lose weight?

OMAD is basically a starvation diet, if you follow all the stipulations, says Rebecca Elbaum, R.D., clinical administrative dietitian at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. That's because you're not consuming enough calories with just one meal as you would by eating three or four times a day, so weight loss will occur.

Also, because you're eating so little (and so sparingly), you'd also likely go into ketosis (the state during which your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbs) from this diet—not because you're upping your fat content and decreasing your carbs, but because you're eating very little in general, says Elbaum.

Aside from the weight loss, a fasting program like OMAD can also result in mood swings, muscle loss, hormone disturbances, and even changes in your menstrual cycle (like having it stop completely), says Oikarinen. "Another major concern is the increased risk for nutrient deficiencies; decreased intake of food also means decreased intake of beneficial vitamins and minerals," Oikarinen says.

Should I try the OMAD diet?

While plenty of people sing the OMAD diet’s praises online, and some experts certainly endorse various forms ofintermittent fasting, Elbaum believes not even healthy people should try the OMAD diet. And that goes doubly for anyone who's pregnant, breastfeeding, recovering from past disordered eating, has diabetes, or even regularly exercises or lifts weights, she says.

"Healthy weight loss will be whatever is the most sustainable over a lifetime," she says. "This includes a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise."

If youareinterested in some type of fasting, a less intense form (like the 16:8 diet) might be your best bet—but even then, it's wise to talk to an R.D. about your options and how best to work an intermittent fasting diet into your lifestyle, says Oikarinen.

JACKIE O SHARES CONFRONTING SKIN CANCER SELFIE

This is a powerful reminder about the importance of sun safety.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/17/2019 12:29 PM1/17/2019 12:29 PM

Jackie O Henderson has a very important message to share: don’t follow in her footsteps.

Via her Instagram stories, the 43-year-old radio host has confirmed that the large abrasion on her forehead – which first sparked concerns when she was snapped on holiday in Port Stephens recently - is the result of having a skin cancer removed.

Posing with her daughter Kitty, she captioned a selfie, “Don’t let our kids make the same mistakes. Slip, slop, slap.”

Jackie, who has never made it a secret that she regularly hit the beach in her teens, told her co-host Kyle Sandilands she had been diagnosed with the condition back in September and would eventually need it removed.

“I’m going to have a big scar on my forehead, I’m going to have stitches,” she said. “Don’t call me Scarface, don’t tease me about it but it’s happening soon.”

“The worst part is that you could [usually] cover it with hair like I could do a swooping [fringe] – you know, like I usually do with my hair. But exactly where the scar is, that’s where my cowlick is, so it always separates. So it’s like a little curtain opening. I can’t even hide it with hair.”

Because of her family history, Jackie gets checked for skin cancer every six months and has had “heaps cut out” in the past.

“But they’re always in places you don’t see. They’re harmless ones, they’re not the deadly ones,” she admitted. “I had one just below the collarbone that took eight months [to heal.] It was quite a red scar.”

“A lot of skin cancers you don’t see,” she added. “You don’t think it’s a skin cancer, you just think it’s a blemish or something.”

She has previously waxed lyrical to listeners about the importance of getting regular skin checks and is now advocating for parents to teach their kids how to be sunsmart. And considering that approximately 6,790 women develop melanoma each year in Australia alone, we can only hope her warning doesn’t fall on deaf ears.

The model and mum-of-two has opened about her recent weight gain following the birth of her son, Miles, in May. In an interview with Good Housekeeping, she joked, “my baby was, like, [2kg] and I gained, like, [27 kilograms], and that seems off!”

Chrissy continued, "I think, in a way, we’ve forgotten what a regular body looks like. There are people out there who are struggling, and I’m struggling, and it’s okay to come to terms with realising it’s going to be a bit of a journey."

"I’m not blind: I see my body, I see the difference in shape, I see that I gained weight. But I also see with those same eyes that I have a beautiful baby boy, and an amazing little girl, and I am very happy. This is a new thing that I can change within my mind, that I don’t have to be swimsuit model anymore. I get to be a mummy, cook, and meet incredible people, and I’m happy to be going through this transition."

HERE'S WHY FOLLOWING YOUR PASSION IS BAD CAREER ADVICE

Hear us out...

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/16/2019 3:47 PM1/16/2019 3:47 PM

One of the most popular career quotes is, ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’

Quotes like this suggest that having an awesome career is about chasing what you are passionate about. It implies that when you love your job it’s all roses and champagne every day. It’s not. It never is.

Let’s get real

All jobs have their good points and bad points. Their highs and their lows. Days that are awesome, and days where nothing goes according to plan.

I love what I do, but there are still times when things don’t work out. When I feel frustrated, over-worked and longing for a doona day.

When finding your passion becomes the over-arching goal it can lead to decisions that don’t help you in the long run, as you flit from dream to dream, passion to passion. You become short-term focused, rather than thinking about long-term outcomes and objectives.

Think long term

Sometimes the hardest jobs – the ones you are least passionate about – are the ones that turn out to be pivotal in your career progression.

So before ditching a job you don’t like to chase the passion bubble, think about the benefits the current role and career path is offering you both short, medium and long term. Next, look at those benefits in the broader context of your career, and life.

From my experience, some of the hardest (and least enjoyable jobs I had) ended up being the ones that were critical to my future career success, as they served as a stepping stone to what was next. It was the ‘what came next’ that helped me land in a job I love.

This doesn’t mean you completely ignore what you are passionate about and throw away your dreams, but it does mean you make decisions with realism attached.

Get curious

For some people being told to follow your passion can create stress – particularly if you find it hard to work out what you are passionate about.

If that’s you, rather than search for what you are passionate about, seek out what makes you curious.

As Elizabeth Gilbert, of Eat Pray Love fame, suggests in this talk: If you can let go of passion and instead follow your curiosity, then your curiosity might just lead you to your passion.

When you are curious you are open to new ideas, and happy to explore new ventures knowing that it will add to the richness of your life and provide a wealth of new experience.

Find your why

It is when you are curious and reflective that you are in a better position to discover what drives and motivates you. This is your ‘why'. The why you do what you do. Your purpose.

It is far more useful to consider your career decisions in this context. When you put your ‘why’ at the centre of your decision making you are considering your career choices as part of your whole life, including:

Family, friends and colleagues

Health and happiness

Spiritual fulfilment

Community and societal needs

Personal and lifestyle goals.

Finding your purpose, your why, isn’t simple. There’s no magic formula and you don't find it just sitting around. It is an iterative process, that involves a bit of soul searching and paying attention to what matters to you and motivates you.

For some people their why involves study, experimentation and trying new things. For other people it involves helping others, taking risks or venturing into the unknown, or having a happy, healthy and loving family.

No one person’s purpose is better than another’s. It is about finding out what really matters in life to you.

How do you do this? The best place to begin, of course, is just to start. Start reflecting, pondering and experimenting.

PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THIS DIET ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO TAKE SICK DAYS

The stats don’t lie.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/16/2019 3:05 PM1/16/2019 3:05 PM

If one of your goals for 2019 is to eat more fruit, veg and plant-based foods, veganism is the lifestyle for you - no ifs or buts about it. Unless your sole reasoning is to better your health (read: finally give the flu the flick). In which case, might we suggest you don’t take the above advice.

A new survey of over 1,000 office workers across the UK has found that vegans take twice as many sick days as carnivores. They also book more doctors’ appointments, seeing their GP on average 2.6 times during sniffle season compared to the national average of 0.7 times.

In addition, two-thirds of those who subscribe to the eating regime admitted to skipping work due to illness in 2018 more than they had in previous years. On the other hand, just half of their meat-eating colleagues took the same number of days off as the year before – one in three even claimed to have taken less.

Frustratingly, the report didn’t expand on why this was the case. Although experts point out that following a vegan diet can make a person more prone to iron, zinc and B12 deficiencies which can, in turn, weaken the immune system.

Truth be told, we’re not here to poo poo veganism. There are countless studies that suggest that cutting back on your meat consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and improve cardiovascular health – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

But it is important to ensure you’re meeting all your nutrient requirements and keeping tabs on how you’re feeling before it gets to the chucking-a-sicky-point.

With that in mind, here are a few vegan-friendly foods to help keep your immune system in tip top shape:

But for 2019, Lovehoney’s Product Director, Bonny Hall and Quality and Technical Manager, Paul Jacques has a bunch of new predictions for what will be hot and what will not. Here's, 4 new sex toy trends to keep on your radar:

Customisation and personalisation

One size doesn't actually fit all. With the rapid development of 3D printing and rapid prototyping, it is now possible toproduce toys tailoredto your body size. These can be made quickly and cost-effectively with new machines that can actually 3D print a toy and place the motors and batteries inside.

Teledildonics

The development and deployment of apps are an ever-growing phenomenon that has inevitably been adopted for sex toys. We are seeing a growing number of simple, intuitive, distance apps becoming available. They are a very natural extension that can link back to a health and wellness regime, like kegel exercises for example. apps are a fun, reliable and secure way to have fun and enjoy a whole new experience.

Quality over quantity

Customers are moving towards higher priced items in the market. They are taking more time to educate themselves and research sex toys prior to purchasing. Customers realise the value of purchasing a pricier toy that will not only perform better but last a longer time. This year, we've perfected the Happy Rabbit, improving function, power and design, adding new models with unique selling points to truly hit the spot and the job done – over and over again.

Sex Toys are infiltrating the mainstream

The line has started to blur between the adult industry and the mainstream.Sex toysare popping up in new retailers who were once hesitant to test the market previously. Intimate care is now recognised as wellness and crucial. People are investing time and money into taking care of themselves, sexually.

"I STOPPED BUYING CLOTHES FOR A YEAR – AND HERE'S WHAT I LEARNED"

Bring on the new socks

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/16/2019 11:13 AM1/17/2019 4:09 PM

Despite my better judgement, I admit that I am one of those people who make New Year's resolutions and doesn't normally stick to them, but in 2018 one stuck. I decided to start my year by reducing my waste and ecological footprint, not going without altogether, but my aim was to be more conscious of my impact and do my best to reduce it.

But it isn't just the water consumption we need to be mindful of, women wear clothes an average of seven times before they are retired. As much as we'd love to imagine all of our clothes getting a second lease on life in reality majority end up in landfill.

Plus from a budgeting perspective, Aussies spend a whopping $20.4 billion a year on fashion and for a single millennial like myself around $1,000 a year (at least).

So paired with these stats and a bulging wardrobe I set out to see if I could go without.

I must caveat that before starting this challenge I wasn't really a massive fan of shopping, after one or two stores my eyes glaze over and I resemble more of a zombie than Cher from Clueless.

My dislike for crowds and pesky sales assistants had transformed me into somewhat of an online shopping pro. So first things first I unsubscribed from all retail emails to minimise all temptations. What's next? Well not much really. The best bit was not buying anything didn't mean that I missed out on a thing.

Sundays spent at the mall – gone.

The stress of a large afterpay balance – gone.

Hours trolling the internet for the perfect work outfit – gone.

The hassle of finding a new outfit for an upcoming social event – gone.

I didn't make a big song and dance about my challenge as it was my own secret social experiment. So when I told my friends in July they were couldn't believe it and when I led on to my colleagues who I see five days a week in November not one of them had even noticed #winning.

* I must admit that on my overseas summer holiday I did buy a dress, I made sure it was ethically produced but one dress can't hurt... right?

The biggest takeaways and learnings for me:

Borrowing clothes from friends. Remember when you were a teenager and it was totally normal to borrow clothes from all of your friends? Why did we stop? If anything I am more responsible now (and will give it back) and our fashion taste is definitely better.

Mix 'n' match. I felt a bit like a Sims character at first. But do you know how many different combinations you can create from your wardrobe? I still don't think I have hit my limit, pairing basics with colourful prints or a piece you haven't worn in years - tah dah.

Accessories are a must. How do you change up your go-to black dress? Accessories. Pair it with earrings, a bold lip, different shoes and why not a different jacket? No one noticed me wearing the same skirt two days in a row.

Declutter. I did not one but three massive declutters of my wardrobe this year. I know it sounds ridiculous but if I wasn't buying a thing and still not managing to wear an item well I don't know when I ever will.

Repair. As I was cycling through around 25 different items on repeat there was a bit of wear and tear. But before I threw them out I put my very basic sewing skills to the test. I managed to repair a few small holes and even reattached a wrap dress cord! And what I couldn't I took to my local tailor.

Create. My mum's love language is gifting and knowing she couldn't give me any presents I think crushed a small part of her soul. Her solution? Pulling out the 20-year-old singer and making this cute sundress for me. I absolutely love it (not to mention all of the compliments I got) and it has inspired me to look into making my own clothes.

So now it is finished and I must admit I am a bit relieved, but here we are 16 days into January and I still haven't made a purchase... why? Well honestly apart from some socks and undies I really don't need anything new right now. But when I do I'll be spending more on an item that I know will last longer and that is ethically and sustainably produced.

YOUR GUIDE TO EXERCISING AT 6, 8 AND 12 WEEKS POSTPARTUM

Expert-approved tips for getting active safely

Women's Health Magazine Australia

While there should never be any pressure for new mums to "bounce back" to their "pre-baby bodies", doing regular, doctor-approved exercise after childbirth has a range of health benefits. And aside from physical health, getting active can also help with psychological wellbeing and social interaction in those challenging first few weeks (and months).

Chloe Lorback, 28 by Sam Wood's resident Pregnancy Expert & Physiotherapist, shares the best exercises you can do at six, eight and twelve weeks postpartum.

Six weeks postnatal

Ok, so you’ve survived the first six weeks! Around about now, you’ll head back to your doctor to check that everything is healing well, and all being well, you’ll get the all clear to get back into some gentle exercise.

Low impact exercise is the best option at this time, to allow your body to continue to gently heal, and ease back into it. Your goal should be to get moving, gently and safely. This is a time for gently working muscles that may have been stretched and weakened during pregnancy. The focus now is on gently working your pelvic floor muscles and tummy muscles.

Walking with the pram is great, so your baby comes with you, and gentle workouts at home like the 28 by Sam Wood postnatal program are ideal, so you can fit them in whenever it suits you best. Babies are unpredictable, so it often makes it tricky to get along to a class or the gym at a set time. And babies seem to need feeding ALL THE TIME is the early days, making it tricky to get out.

Remember if you have any pain, or a feeling of heaviness in the vagina or bottom, or any other concerns, stop exercising and check in with your doctor.

Top 5 exercises at 6 weeks postnatal

Walking for 30 minutes daily

Pelvic floor exercises – Aim for 5 x 5 second holds, 3 times a day. I used to do my squeezes every time I fed my baby, that way I just got into the habit of doing them, otherwise it’s too easy to forget!

Squats – Bust out 20 great squats when you are changing your baby’s nappy. This helps to get your legs and glutes fired up. You need strong legs to manage all the lifting that you’ll be doing. Having strong legs means you’re less likely to overuse or strain your back. My babies loved being cuddled while I did squats, they loved the up and down bouncy feeling and it often sent them off to sleep. Multitasking!

Wall or bench push ups – Pump out 15 bench push ups after you brush your teeth, so you’ll be getting it done without thinking.

Top 5 exercises at 8 weeks postnatal

Walking – Up the intensity by going a little faster, or add in some hills. This will get your heart rate up and get the endorphins flowing.

Cat / Cow stretch – On all fours, round through your shoulders and tuck your chin to your chest, tuck your tailbone under and stretch your spine. Then slowly reverse, looking up and gently arching your back. Do this 4 or 5 times, or more if it’s feeling good!

Calf raises – Rise up onto the balls of your toes, squeezing your calf muscles, and slowly lower. Do this 15 times, twice a day. This is great for helping your circulation, and for strengthening all the muscles around your ankles and feet.

Top 5 exercises at 12 weeks postnatal

Twelve weeks is a significant turning point in your recovery. Often you start to feel stronger now, and you are getting into some kind of rhythm / routine with your baby, so you can plan your day a little more.

Walk / jog – Around now you can start to add in some higher intensity exercise (if you feel like it!) Start gradually, adding in short bursts of jogging every few minutes on your walk, or crank up the intensity

Modified plank – A great exercise to strengthen your core. Starting on your hands and knees, come down onto your elbows and keep your elbows on the floor, as you step your legs out to straight. Hold for 5 seconds, then rest your knees back on the floor.

Lunges - Progress from your squats, and mix it up with some lunges. I like to do a lunge walk down my hallway, alternating legs each side, so you end up doing about 10 on each leg. Hold your baby for added resistance!

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT QUEEN ELIZABETH EATS IN A DAY

A brekkie fit for royalty, eh?!

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/16/2019 10:42 AM1/16/2019 10:42 AM

Sure, she lives in Buckingham Palace, owns all the whales in the English Channel and has hundreds of staff waiting on her hand and foot. But Queen Elizabeth also has some pretty run-of-the-mill habits too. Take her daily breakfast, for example.

According to Darren McGrady, who formerly served as personal chef for the 92-year-old monarch, the Queen is partial to pouring herself cereal from a Tupperware container. The Kelloggs variety, to be specific.

“The Queen is not a foodie,” he explained in an interview with The Telegraph. “She eats to live, unlike Prince Philip who loves to eat and would stand and talk food all day.”

“When she dines on her own, she’s very disciplined. No starch is the rule,” he added.

McGrady says it begins with a pre-brekkie snack of tea and biscuits, followed by her cereal of choice and fruit. Only if it’s a special occasion, she’ll opt for scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and truffle.

Before lunch, she’s partial to a tipple of gin and Dubonnet with lemon and ice. The meal itself is on the lighter side though (think, grilled fish or chicken with vegetables.)

Her afternoon tea includes biscuits, scones, cakes and finger sandwiches filled with cucumber, smoked salmon or ham and mustard (with the crusts removed, of course).

Dinner is fillets of beef, venison, pheasant or salmon, washed down with a dessert of fresh strawberries or white peaches and chocolate. Although on Sundays, she always has classic roast beef, served well-done.

And when it comes to putting the day to bed, Elizabeth does so in truly royal fashion: with a glass of Champagne.

DR HAZEL WALLACE ON THE KEY TO LONGEVITY AND BALANCE

Hazel aka The Food Medic on how she's pushing the boundaries of traditional medicine.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/16/2019 9:25 AM1/16/2019 9:25 AM

Forget the white coat. Dr Hazel Wallace is one of the growing breed of next-gen medical doctors putting lifestyle first. The London-based blogger, podcaster, best-selling author, nutritionist-in-training and PT (yep, so many hats!) started her site, The Food Medic, in 2012 to cut through the health clutter online. It’s since grown into an institution with over 300,000 Insta followers, all tapping into her delicious–but–refreshingly–simple recipes. Here, she talks about the future of medicine and why being the black sheep isn’t always such a bad thing.

Making science sexy and useful!

“The Food Medic started off as a personal project. After my first year of uni and living away from home, I wasn’t exactly the picture of health, and I’d gained a bit of weight. So, I joined a gym, started researching about nutrition and used Instagram to share a personal log. I wasn’t learning any of it in medical school ... which blows my mind because there’s such a huge link between food and health. That’s when I realised I could extend this to more people in more locations, so I turned The Food Medic into a blog. Now, it’s an educational hub, where scientific-based content is shared with a non-scientific audience.”

Prevention is key

“[These days], we’re seeing a whole cohort of diseases that are largely lifestyle related, and they can’t all just be treated with one pill or surgery. Although medication is so important, what we should really be focusing on is the preventative side of things and trying to see what we can do in someone’s lifestyle before [anything else]. When we look at, say, patients who are at risk of type 2 diabetes, and get them to stand up and move around – ‘exercise snacking’ – throughout the day, they improve their blood glucose levels. Getting physically active can save a life.”

True balance takes practice

“Last year, I was in my core training as a junior doctor [and] I was also writing a book and running a business. By the end of that year ... I was so tired and run-down. I made a decision to take a step back from full-time training. It’s allowed me to claim my weekends again and I went on my first proper holiday in I-don’t-knowhow- long. [Finding balance] definitely takes trial and error, but it’s really important that when you work for yourself you need to remember to have days off. It’s important to treat yourself well.”

Own your power

“A journalist once called me the black sheep among other doctors, because I did things differently. My [mentor] consultant told me to not take it as a dig and to see it as a compliment. I’ve now embraced the fact I’m a black sheep. Sometimes it’s not a bad option to do things a little bit differently.”

Selma Blair Shares The &#39;Uncomfortable&#39; Truth About Living With MS

6 Soulful Health Retreats To Kick Start Your New Year

More Than Half Of All Heart Disease Deaths Could Be Prevented By This Healthy Habit

"My brain is on fire. I am freezing."

Women's Health Magazine Australia

"There is a truth with neurogedenerative brain disease. It is uncomfortable," she wrote onInstagramalongside a photo of herself in bed. "It is a stadium of uncontrollable anxiety at times. Going out, being sociable holds a heavy price."

According to Selma, who spent the weekend in New York City, that price is some less-than-pleasant feelings: "My brain is on fire. I am freezing," she wrote, adding that she "can't sleep at night," but that during the day, she has trouble staying awake.

But it's not all physical. Selma also opened up about the mental side of dealing with MS: "We feel alone with it even though the loving support has been a god send and appreciated."

Selma also said that people often ask her how she copes with her illness. "I do my best," she wrote. "But I choke with the pain of what I have lost and what I dare hope for and how challenging it is to walk around."

Difficulty walking is a common symptom of MS. The disease affects the central nervous system, basically inhibiting normal communication between the brain and the body—which means many people suffer from fatigue, difficulty walking, dizziness, and vertigo, according to theNational Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Because of that, Selma nowuses a caneto help her walk, according to another recent Instagram post. "My cane is also to alert people I may trip (likely) or fall or slur," she wrote.

Despite her symptoms, Selma says that her smiles are genuine. "This is OK. Life is an adventure with many shards of awakening," she wrote. "I have a full week ahead with mothering and appointments and things to look forward to. But like many of us, I am praying. Soaking in love where I can. It’s not easy. That’s OK."

6 SOULFUL HEALTH RETREATS TO KICK START YOUR NEW YEAR

Desperately seeking some zen?

Women's Health Magazine Australia

Looking for a restful retreat for both mind and body? To kick start your New Year the right way, we've put together a few of the world’s most stunning and rejuvenating destinations on the planet. To find the gorgeous yoga destination that’s just right for you, explore even more traveller-tested recommendations on Booking.com’s Passion Search platform.

This beautiful seaside retreat in Kovalam is the perfect place to meditate your stress away with a soothing yoga session overlooking the sea! Bring some comfortable clothes and prepare yourself for a healthy dose of inner peace.

Set in the middle of a sprawling 300-acre oasis along the Atlantic Ocean, this resort is an ideal spot to pursue enhanced harmony and balance in your life. After enjoying some yoga on the beach, make sure to savour some healthy organic fare at the resort’s on-site restaurant.

Nestled on a private stretch of sandy beach, this award-winning, adults-only, smoke-free resort promises loads of rest and relaxation for discerning yoga lovers—with a world-class sauna and a steam room to boot!

Set within 45 acres of tropical rainforest and only a short stroll from Tallow Beach, The Byron offers daily outdoor yoga sessions and the ultimate in soulful relaxation, from soothing sea breezes to a delectable seasonal menu showcasing local produce.

With a peaceful setting on Playa Santa Teresa Beach, this beautiful retreat features terraces with hammocks and exotic, tropical gardens, where visitors can take advantage of top-class yoga instruction throughout the year.

MORE THAN HALF OF ALL HEART DISEASE DEATHS COULD BE PREVENTED BY THIS HEALTHY HABIT

Food for thought.

Women's Health Magazine Australia

1/15/2019 2:57 PM1/15/2019 2:57 PM

Need another reason to replace sweets with sweet potato or lollies with legumes? New research has revealed just how important nutrition is for preventing premature death.

According to new findings published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, more than half of all premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths could be prevented by better diet.

Analysing data gathered by the Global Burden of Disease Study, collected between 1990 and 2017, scientists examined the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases across 51 European countries. Countries from the Middle East and Central Asia were also included in their research.

Considering food consumption as well as risk factors in certain countries, the team of researchers crunched the numbers to determine how many deaths were caused by a poor diet. Underconsumption of whole grain products, nuts, seeds and vegetables featured strongly, while too much salt also proved important.

In 2016, results found that Germans were worst off in the diet department - 160,000 deaths (46 per cent of all cardiovascular deaths) were associated with poor nutrition. Italy and Great Britain quickly followed with 41 per cent.

Interestingly, age and gender also played a huge role. Younger men were and older women were most at risk.

"In Sweden and Norway the underconsumption of nuts and seeds is most strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases, while in many Central and Eastern European and Central Asian countries the low intake of whole grain products poses the greatest risk," says lead researcher Dr Toni Meier fromMartin Luther University(MLU).

"Or to put it another way: Increased consumption of low-fibre white flour products has led to an increase in cardiovascular disease in recent years. In Albania, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, the number of cases has more than doubled in the period under review."

"Our findings are crucially relevant for health policy and should be incorporated in the development of future prevention strategies," adds co-author of the study, Professor Stefan Lorkowski of theUniversity of Jena.

"We must make better use of the potential of a balanced and healthy diet, otherwise cardiometabolic diseases will be the cause of even more preventable deaths in the future."

Other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, exercise and smoking were all taken into account. However, alcohol was not.

"It should also be emphasised that the well-known risk factor of alcohol was not taken into account by our study. In countries with a high consumption of alcohol the degree of diet-related cardiovascular disease could be even higher," notes MLU professor and nutritionist Professor Gabriele Stangl.

JULIANNE HOUGH SHARES HOW HER ENDOMETRIOSIS DIAGNOSIS AFFECTS HER SEX LIFE

"Sometimes were in the middle and I’m just like 'AH, stop!'"

Women's Health Magazine Australia

Julianne Hough is best known for her Dancing With The Stars career (she's a two-time champion!) and her work as an actress. But she's also a 30-year-old who's spent half of her life dealing with endometriosis—and suffering in silence.

"I first started experiencing symptoms back when I was 15, but I thought it was just what it feels like to be a girl with bad periods," says Julianne. "I didn't think to go to the gynaecologist. Because I’m a competitor, I felt like I had to push through the pain and just work."

"Endometriosis is one of the most common conditions that affects young women," saysSanjay Agarwal, M.D, F.A.C.O.G., director of fertility services, and professor of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive sciences at UC San Diego Health. "Women can suffer in pain for as long as 10 years before seeking help."

The condition occurs when the tissue that typically lines the uterus—the endometrium—grows outside of the uterus, in places like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even the bladder and rectum, according to the ACOG.

This overgrowth of tissue most commonly causes chronic, long-term pelvic pain, per the ACOG. The pain usually surfaces around menstruation, but it can also worsen with bowel movements and sexual activity, says Agarwal. Heavy periods are another common symptom of the condition.

Excruciating cramps finally sent Julianne to the doctor for a diagnosis.

Julianne says her contraction-like "episodes" of abdominal cramping often come on unexpectedly, leaving her breathless for 30 seconds to a minute until the pain passes.

When she was 20 years old, Julianne had a bout of cramping during a live shooting ofDancing With The Starsthat finally sent her to the emergency room. "I was just waiting for a commercial break," says Julianne. "I went to the ER and nobody could tell me what was wrong with me."

Finally, Julianne received answers after visiting a gynaecologist in LA, who performed a pelvic exam, acknowledged her family’s history with the condition, and eventually suggested a laparoscopy (a surgical procedure where doctors look for signs of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus).

As an athlete, Julianne took the diagnosis hard, especially after years of taking care of her body and having the mindset that she could push through anything. "It was an emotional trauma," she says. "At the time, I felt very lonely and like nobody understood me. I had no idea that [so many women] had endometriosis."

Even after her diagnosis, Julianne kept her endometriosis a secret for years, mostly because she didn’t understand the condition at first. She also didn’t want to have a disease that held her back "personally, professionally, and relationship-wise."

Julianne says endometriosis affects her sex life.

"It can definitely cut things short," says Julianne. "Sometimes we're in the middle and I’m just like 'AH, stop!'" Other times, she needs to tell her husband, professional hockey player Brooks Laich, to just forget it that night.

Agarwal says pain during intercourse is a top concern among his patients. "It can cause pain with penetration, so women won't engage in intercourse or they'll terminate it early because of the pain," says Agarwal. It can affect intimacy in other ways, too: "Long-term pain can have psychological consequences like depression, anxiety, or other emotional issues."

"It can be really frustrating," says Julianne. But Brooks is supportive and understanding of her condition. "He only wants to love on me and make me feel good." And, according to Julianne, the couple doesn't necessarily need penetration to keep their relationship hot and heavy. Their secret? Foreplay (along with open and honest communication and creativity, of course).

"There’s so much intimacy without actually having sex," says Julianne. "There are some cool things we’ve learned and it’s literally been awesome."

Agarwal offers some additional tips, like pelvic physical therapy or, doctor permitting, a new FDA-approved drug calledOrilissa, which improves pain with intercourse. He also advises seeking psychological help when necessary to get past any non-physical barriers.

Now, Julianne says she's learned to listen to her body throughout the day.

"My body is very precious to me, I didn’t think of it that way before," says Julianne. "If I don’t feel like working out that day, then I don’t do it. If I want to sleep in, then I will."

Julianne also takes amindful approachto her condition. She keeps her body moving, even if some days call for just simply standing or walking around.

"If I feel stagnant, then my body’s stagnant, and then my insides feel stagnant," she says. "Even if I don’t want to move or exercise, I just stand with my hands on my abdomen, move my hips, and send love to my pelvic area."

And, of course, Julianne says communication is key to dealing with endometriosis—with her loved ones, doctors, and other women—when she’s in need of support. "There’s a tribe of women who support each other like crazy on websites like SpeakEndo," she says. (SpeakEndo is a campaign to empower women with endometriosis.)

Julianne also says it's important for women with endometriosis to educate themselves on the condition. "The more educated you become, the more powerful you’re going to feel," Julianne says. "You have two choices: You can hate it, or it can just become part of you. It doesn’t need to define you, it’s just an aspect of who you are."

Julianne still stuffers from endometriosis symptoms, but she's learned how to handle them. "Instead of getting frustrated, I acknowledge it, honour what it is, and move on. It’s all about connecting to your body, loving it unconditionally, and trusting how you feel."

Impressive? You bet - but it hasn’t always come easy for the 29-year-old. In an interview with Shape, she admitted she has to work HARD to maintain her upper body strength.

“I work with a trainer in LA, and it started out as ‘let me see if I can even do a pull-up,” she said. “And I couldn’t! But gradually I could do half of one, then one. Over the years I got up to eight – but right now I’m back down to three.”

If we’re getting technical the move is actually a chin-up, which is the exact same vibe as a pull-up except you start with your palms facing you instead of away from you. And to get to the point where she could even do one it required a ton of practice with her trainer.

“We do a lot of moves that are strength training – from circuits to HIIT to just using my own bodyweight,” Lucy explained. “You have to keep at it weekly or you lose those muscles. But my goal is to one day be able to do 10 pull-ups.”

As for other goals she’d like to accomplish in 2019, they're pretty much all health and wellness based, like trying out new fitness classes and ramping up her cardio.

“I love working out. I’m just one of those people who genuinely enjoy it,” she said. “I’ve really been wanting to try hot Pilates classes. And I was really into running for a while. I still do sprints, but I’ve lost endurance. I’d like to get better at it this year.”